Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Howard's band The Birthday Party changed my life. Their final show was the first gig I went to in Melbourne. As a street press hack, Howard was one of the first people I ever interviewed. I was starstruck. For me, his version of 'Some Velvet Morning' (with Lydia Lunch) is the greatest ever recorded. More recently, his album Pop Crimes was sensational. And his gig at last year's All Tomorrow's Parties was a festival highlight. And, of course, he wrote what is one of the all-time greatest Australian songs - 'Shivers'.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

'Christmas Wrapping' is still the best Xmas song ever recorded. Originally intended for NY disco punk ZE Records label's compilation A Christmas Record in 1981, the song by The Waitresses (who hit in Aus with 'I Know What Boys Like' in 1982) became a UK hit the following holiday season. The track has since been covered by Spice Girls, The Donnas, Kate Nash and Save Ferris plus there's a live version by data Panik (formely Bis) kicking around. But what better way to pay tribute to the original version than to be mesmerised by Xmas lights.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

A reconstruction of The Beach Boys' lost LP 'SMiLE' (the album that was going to be the follow up to 'Pet Sounds'). Based upon the track listing of Brian Wilson's 2004 re-recorded/finished version, and compiled from commercially released tracks from the original sessions, plus a bunch of 1967-era bootlegs. It's probably a little sacrilicous, but I think Ryan Marks does a pretty good job reconstructing what could have been.

This has been floating around the interwebs for a little while, but hey - it's the thought that counts.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Another crackly piece of vinyl that has seen better days. The cover of this LP is also going mouldy, so it's joined the 'pile of shame' quarantine area in my record room. The British Invasion might have been a big deal in other record collections, but not much of it made it into our household. In fact, I think this is the only Invasion record that made it. My Dad has one album by The Beatles, but it's 'The Beatles Again' (a 1970 compilation) and I don't think that counts. The line-up on this album features a young Steve Winwood - not that the name rang many bells when i was growing up. I did think it was kind of amusing he had a relation (older brother) in the band called Muff though. Muff went onto to be a producer and A&R guy. He was responsible for twiddling the knobs on Dire Straits' debut album, but managed to redeem himself by signing The Psychedelic Furs and Sade to Columbia Records in the early 80s.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

A rare and special Death Mix from Mastie. Recorded during a recent research trip to the Balearic Islands. Converted from Spanish to high quality MP3, and presented to you. The future sound of Cafe Del Mastie.